How is witch hunts dangerous?

You own a very valuable piece of land on the seashore. It has been in your family for many years and you do not wish to sell that land. A rich neighbor wants that land and the only way to get it is if you are not there anymore. He tells the local authorities he suspects you are a witch. He gets some of his friends to tell others that you are a witch. During a witch hunt, anyone and everyone are targets for many reasons.